Social media commentator found dead in his home in Kano 

by · The Eagle Online

A social media commentator, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu, 54, was found dead at his residence in Gaida, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Wednesday, Daily Trust reports.

Family members said the deceased was attacked by yet‑to‑be‑identified men who broke into his house and slaughtered him.

His elder sister, Aisha Muhammad Lawal, told Daily Trust that her son received a call around 12:30 a.m. informing him of the incident.

“Some yet‑to‑be‑identified men broke into his house and slaughtered him. I wasn’t around to know what happened, so I asked my son to go there. When he got there, he already met policemen at the scene. They rushed him to the hospital, carried out some investigations, and later handed over the corpse to us around 2:30 a.m.,” she said.

She added, “I don’t know what actually transpired and how it happened. But I was told that two people have been arrested from the area. He has a wife and six children. We are calling on the government to help us ensure that justice is served,” she said.

The family stated that they were not suspecting anyone in particular, but insisted that justice must be done.

Dan Shagamu’s death has sparked concerns among Kano residents, with many calling for stronger measures to protect citizens from violent attacks.

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The deceased was popular on social media for making videos and commenting on social and political issues.

Earlier alarm

Daily Trust gathered that the victim had earlier raised an alarm of death threats. In a recent video posted on his social media page, Dan Shagamu had alleged that his life was under threat.

He appealed to the Kano State governor, the emir of Kano, and the police for protection, saying he had been repeatedly harassed by neighbours and their children. 

“I need the support of the Kano governor, emir of Kano and the police. I have been receiving death threats from my neighbours,” he said in the video. 

He narrated incidents of children pelting him with stones, damaging his television, and surrounding his house to insult him. He added that he reported the matter to the Gaida village head, who escalated it to the Ja’en village head, but said the issue was beyond their power. 

Dan Shagamu insisted that the threats were known to people in the area and accused neighbours of conspiring against him.  He also posted a video recording showing children outside his house, claiming they were threatening to kill him. 

“They are after me, and they are our neighbours’ children. The neighbours are aware but have conspired. I am asking for help, please,” he added. 

Dan Shagamu, who operated under the brand Dan Shagamu International, was known for his social media videos and commentary on political, religious and community issues.

His Facebook cover has his picture with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Also, he has posted a lot of videos attacking the Tinubu-led federal government, while in one of the videos, he promoted Atiku Abubakar and called him incoming President.

He also made religious commentaries. In one of the videos he was heard attacking one of the Islamic clerics in Kano accused of blasphemy.

Kano governor condemns attack, calls it barbaric

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned the attack, calling it barbaric.

Speaking to Daily Trust, his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, said, “We condemn this in totality. It is barbaric and inhuman. There is no justification whatsoever for killing someone in this brutal manner.

“We condemn it in totality and send our condolences to his family. May Allah grant him eternal rest. We are also calling on security to investigate the matter and ensure that those found guilty are punished by law,” he said.

He added that the state will continue to do its best to ensure security of lives and property of citizens, especially now that election campaigns have started.

Meanwhile the Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in the area in connection with the incidence.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, told Daily Trust that the two people are already in their custody while investigation is ongoing.

Asked if there is any confession so far from them  and if the killing was connected to his social media activities, Kiyawa said, “From what we are able to gather from them so far, all we can say is that there is no correlation. It is just pure envy and hatred by neighbours.”

Also speaking, the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, condemned Dan Shagamu’s killing in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

He urged the state government “to immediately constitute an investigative panel to thoroughly probe this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Amnesty International demands probe

Global rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has condemned the killing of the Kano-based commentator, describing it as a grave violation that must be investigated.

In a statement titled “Kano: Slaughter of Government Critic Must Be Investigated,” Amnesty said Dan Shagamu was found in a pool of blood at his home in Gaida, Kumbotso Local Government Area, after being overpowered and slaughtered by his attackers.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate this incident and ensure that those suspected of responsibility are brought to justice. In a democracy, outspoken persons or critics are accommodated, listened to, not killed,” the organisation declared.

Amnesty expressed concern that “the Nigerian government was doing very little to prevent killings, threats, intimidation, and other human rights violations”. It warned that such attacks were occurring both within and outside the context of the upcoming elections.

“As the elections approach, we continue to receive disturbing reports of politically related threats to life and intimidation,” the statement added.

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